Did you know that Spencer Gifts still exists?

WTF?

With a media gaggle looking on, Clinton handed Lavrov a green box tied with a green bow. He opened it to reveal a "reset button," a reminder of Vice President Joe Biden's recent remark that the Obama administration hopes to reset U.S. relations with Moscow.

Maybe I missed the part of international diplomacy that included giving gag gifts to foreign leaders. A "reset button"? Really? Perhaps we'll give the Japanese prime minister a Humphrey the Humping Dog from Spencer Gifts. I mean, really, grow up.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Last night I was sympathy-drinking with The Sister at Uva in the Lower Haight after she lost one of her jobs. I like Uva. There's a good selection of wines to try and I think every song that came on is on my iPod. Plus the bartender was really cute, so there's always that.

Anyway, after tasting roughly one of every wine on the list, we made our way across the street to Noc Noc and had a couple of beers in everyone's favorite Burning-Man-meets-the-Flintstones bar. The Sister wanted to know how bad the Global Economic Disaster was going to get. I told her that everyone basically will have half as much as they used to. This news did not seem to cheer her up.

FINALLY, in other bar news, I sort of love The Page's FAQ. For example:

Q
What are your specialties?

A

We like all honest drinks, and we take a particular pride in our 22+ draught beers (generally featuring one or more seasonal beers, and always featuring several local beers) and our fine selection of whiskies: Kentucky, Tennesse, small batch and blends, Canadian, Irish -- and not least, Scotch whisky, of which we have several fine blends and an extensive list of single malts from Orkney to Campbeltown and places in between. We're no slouches with gin, vodka, tequila, and rum too (let us know if we don't have a brand you like), and we make damn good bloody mary's (bloodies mary?) and margaritas from scratch.

Q
Can I get a Mohito?

A

No.

Q
Is it cool to play Rush 2112 on the jukebox?

A

No.

Q
How about Journey?

A

No. Many think playing Journey is clever, but it is not.

Q
How about the Allman's Whipping Post live, or consecutive Phish tunes?

A

No. Historically, bartenders become churlish and unresponsive 8-12 minutes into any given song.

Have a good weekend, everybody.